By Fabrice Djimadoum
The South sub-region held the kick-off ceremony for Cheon Il Guk Citizens Academy (CIG CA) on February 19, 2024 at HJ Cheonbo Training Centre Lusaka, Zambia under the theme “Youth Ready to Answer True Parents Call!”
This training program organized by the South sub-region is the second launching of the youth training in Africa Region after Democratic Republic of Congo and its first in the Sub Region South for some six months and others for one year training.
Around 70 participants attended including the FFWPU AFRICA Region Vice President and YSP President, Mrs. Mica Amalanman, the South Sub-Region President, Rev. Moruti Ledwaba, FFWPU Zambia President, Rev. David Isaac Phiri, Pastor Andrico Tshab, HJ CheonBo Training of Heaven and Earth East and Southern Africa Region Coordinator as well as CIG Leaders, CIG Youth Missionaries, Generation Peace Academy from USA in mission in Zambia as well as blessed central families and members witnessed this historical kick-off the CIG CA in Zambia which being the host nation for the training.
Master Dieudonne Bohoussou Kouame, Tongil Moodo, Africa Coordinator introduced the ceremony the flow of the program which started with an opening prayer as to grace the event given by Mrs. Eunice Sosheleba, IAYSP Zambia Secretary Generalthe Cheon Il Guk anthem followed by the recitation of Family pledge. Later on, Mrs. Mica Amanlaman gave a warm welcome to the participants at this ceremony.
Afterwards, Mr. Bongani Gina, the Sub Region South Youth Director and Program Coordinator of CIG CA shared highlighted through a PowerPoint presentation on the vision and mission of the CIG Citizens Academy which respectively is to revive, Strengthen and Maintain the youth in a heavenly and lively environment favorable for church growth and stability and to Raise CIG citizens who live excellent spiritual and physical life rooted in True Parents, with a strong sense of Hyojeong and ownership over the community, through the practice of True Love and a public lifestyle.
The ten future CIG CA cadets from Namibia, Malawi and within Zambia gave a beautiful song titled “Saranghe” to remember True Parents of early days. Later on, they cadets solemnly committed themselves through reciting the three CIG CA pledges which are: to become a true Hyojeong elite, true vanguards of Heavenly Parent and True Parents Dream and to become a loyal citizen of Cheon Il Guk who commits to complete the 3 Great Blessings given by Heaven, testifies about True Parents, and practices and spreads their teachings reading out the commitment.
In the first congratulatory remarks, Rev. Phiri encouraged youths that they have made a right decision to join this program and encouraged to.
The second congratulatory Remarks by Rev. Moruti Ledwaba who emphasized on the importance of the succession plan for raising future generations as True Mother always talk about it. Later on, he urged youths present to discover first their identity in True Parents and They should be proud of True Parents. Finally, he welcomed the cadets in this best transformational “club”.
Rev. Phiri encouraged cadets to prove others wrong, at the end of the program, they Wil changed people. He also encouraged them to find a way to create a new culture and tradition which must begin with youths. He later shared with them a heartfelt experience of missionary life confronting different cultures as a way to inspire and encourage youths.
In the congratulatory and closing remarks by Mrs. Mica Amalanman who shared with the youths her inspired journey, a path to discover her true identify as True Parents’ child. She further encouraged them to look first for God and make the first step. She encouraged the cadets to take this training seriously which will help them not only to shape them but also to influence positively their environment and to become true citizens of Cheon il Guk.
A beautiful and encouraging song, titled “I know who I am” by a Nigerian famous Gospel female singer Sinach highlighted that we are chosen generation accompanied by captivated dances by all the participants in the ceremony translation of the readiness to attend to this training.
To offer the training program to Heavenly Parent and True Parents, Pastor Andrico blessed it with a touching and inspiring closing prayer.
And finally, cheers of Eog Mansei offered by Master Kouame concluded the ceremony.
